So because I have this forum, and can post whatever my insane little mind thinks of, I wanted to take a look at US Soccer veterans who are still capable of playing international soccer (as far as being age-appropriate), but have been shuffled into the background in favor of younger or more talented players...so here's a Veteran Where Are They Now
G – Troy Perkins
The Montreal Impact’s keeper is still only 32 years old and was the keeper of choice during the US 2009 Gold Cup run. He was even a contender to be on the 2010 roster, but didn’t quite make the cut. Keeper is unfortunately one of those positions where you have a starter and a strong back-up, and then you focus on youth. With 7 caps, he has more experience than Hamid, Johnson and Hall combined.
RB – Jonathan Spector
Spector is the original Brad Evans. Played CM for his club, RB for the US, and he was a consistent starter there too. Why he never panned out is still a mystery. I am still scratching my head over the decision to insert Jonathan Bornstein over him in the 2011 Gold Cup final to replace an injured Cherundolo. With RB still rather unsettled the 27 year old may still get a chance to add to his 34 caps but he has only made 3 sub appearances for JK
CB – Jay DeMeritt
34 is not too old, but with a major injury sidelining him almost all last year, it may be too late. DeMeritt was a rock during the 2010 World Cup, starting every game…but fell off the radar after that. He will finish his career with 25 caps
CB – Heath Pearce
Ok so he earned most of his 35 caps at LB, but he can and has played in the middle. Played a few competitions and a qualifier or two but could never really break into the starting XI, Bradley seemed to prefer playing Bocanegra out of position than playing Pearce. The 29 year old has 2 caps and only 1 start under Klinsmann
LB – Jonathan Bornstein
Are we surprised he doesn’t play? Had far too many boneheaded plays defensively to make up for a few moments of offensive excellence (think a poor man’s Edgar Castillo). Still, he made 38 appearances and is only 29 years old, he could come out of the blue and maybe earn some minutes…but I doubt it
RM – Freddy Adu
What happened here? His career isn’t over by any means, I mean, he’s younger than me, he’s only 24. But he has never played in a World Cup and only has limited (in any) qualifying experience. Klinsmann called him up for the first game of his tenure but Freddy has not added to his 17 caps under the German
CM – Ricardo Clark (34) – 30
Clark played in the 2010 World Cup and much like DeMeritt disappeared. Yet he is starting to re-establish himself in MLS, it’s a shame he plays in a stacked position, the 30 year old is unlikely to get past the European based guys at CM. He has made 3 appearances and scored a goal under Klinsmann but he hasn’t added to his 34 caps since January 2012
CM – Davy Arnaud
I had Benny Feilhaber here until last week. This was a difficult choice because Jermaine Jones and Michael Bradley have been locks here since 2011…Arnaud played in the 2009 Gold Cup…and that’s it. Won’t feature again at 33 years old
LM – Robbie Rogers
Youth phenomenon that played 18 games for the US and is only 26 years old. On the World Cup roster shortlist in 2010, but didn’t quite make the cup, played in the 2011 Gold Cup and scored the first goal of Klinsmann’s tenure in 2011. Featured 4 times for Klinsmann in 2011, then walked away from the game…well not yet, he was in England, then he got hurt, then he retired for personal reason, then he came back. If he can regain his form in 2014, I can see him returning to the fold and possibly being a banner carrier for the LGBT community in the international soccer community
ST – Robbie Findley
Came out of the blue for the 2010 World Cup, featured in 11 games during the span of a year and a half, then struggled in Europe and lost his spot. Not that he is finding his feet again in MLS he has a shot and coming back in to the roster, but it is miniscule. The 28 year old is just not going talented enough to hold off the younger crop
ST – Kenny Cooper
This one always bums me out. Cooper had such potential as a young man, but now at 29 years old with only 10 caps to his name and 1 goal, Cooper never really panned out internationally. Imagine if his time in England had been just a tad more fruitful though…
That was fun…